Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, Irish Feminist

From Syracuse's Irish Studies series comes this excellent biography of an exceptional, determined woman. Sheehy-Skeffington (18771946) disavowed her churchno light matter in the Ireland of her timewas considered a leftist, waged unceasing battles for women's rights and for peaceful political solutions to her country's problems, and was ""assertive'' long before it was fashionable. Ideally matched with Francis Skeffington (who attached her name to his own when they were married), she was a major figure in the Irish scene during the first half of the 20th century. After the murder of Francis at the behest of a British officer, Hanna continued to serve the cause of freedom as editor, author and lecturer popular on the American circuit as well as at home. Levenson wrote With Wooden Sword, a biography of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington; Natterstad is a professor of English who writes on Irish subjects. (March 24)